Tom's Tree - Softcover

Gillian Shields is a Good Books author.

Tom plants a seed that he envisions will grow into “a tree with strong green branches and golden leaves and red fruit and peacocks singing.” Through the seasons Tom nurtures his little tree, but he eventually outgrows it and goes away to have grown-up dreams. Tom returns as an adult with his own son who is able to experience the magic of the tree that Tom could only envision. This is told in a straightforward manner featuring spare illustrations of Tom nurturing the tiny tree juxtaposed with his visions of a large tree filled with fanciful creatures. Since Tom’s wishes are not realized while he is a child, the message about patience might be lost on children. However, audiences will appreciate that Tom’s dream does come to fruition and will enjoy the vision that Tom’s son experiences. For a book about patience, pair with The Carrot Seed (1944) by Ruth Krauss, and Fletcher and the Falling Leaves (2006) by Julia Rawlinson, which features another relationship with a tree. Preschool-Grade 2. --Randall Enos